'Arnold' and 'Sly' documentaries celebrate, humanize larger-than-life success stories

Earlier this summer, Netflix released a three-part docuseries about the life and career of Arnold Schwarzenegger, simply titled Arnold. Showing fans exactly how the Austrian muscle man found big time success before he ever stepped in front of a movie camera, Arnold reminded people that the American dream is still a hot commodity that can inspire.

Schwarzenegger conquered two markets before becoming a full-fledged movie star: real estate and bodybuilding. More so, he was a part of creating the Venice Beach outdoor gym muscle scene, bringing together thousands of lifters who wanted to be outside and not feel encumbered by the indoors. According to him, the movie stardom was icing on the cake. Oh, and add on the ultimately successful run in California politics. The Governator was more than a gimmick; Arnold helped a lot of kids find a safe and fun shelter after school.

All in all, he gambled on himself and won. The same goes for his close friend and former adversary, Sylvester Stallone. He gets his own Netflix documentary treatment this fall with another aptly titled movie, Sly, that chronicles his rise to fame from rough and humble beginnings.

Before he was a star, the Philadelphia-born hustler was living out in a car with his dog, Butkiss. An audition later, he was walking away with a starring role from a script he wrote. Rocky played in cinemas for over a year and made a fortune. The success would double down with First Blood, which kicked off the Rambo saga. Stallone was nominated for Oscars playing Balboa 40+ years apart. He returned to each character several times with success, while making dents in the acting game (Copland) and action adventure genre. 

For Sly’s Rocky and Rambo, Schwarzenegger found Conan and the Terminator. Don’t discount the aging just fine Predator, Red Heat, Running Man, Raw Deal, True Lies, and other big hits. 

These guys powered my childhood appreciation of film. For a stuttering young kid, they made the world a cooler place with their batches of make believe. Saving the day came with one liners and biceps. The movies don’t just generate empathy; they provide a release. Schwarzenegger and Stallone were masters of escapism. 

But their real lives show that ambition and raw desire do crash into the hardships of morality. Stallone losing his son, Sage, to coronary artery disease. A close encounter with Dolph Lundgren in a ring that left him in the ICU. The funny thing is that, like Arnold, the big Swede and Sly are good friends. 

Schwarzenegger doesn’t hide from his own dark areas. He was candid when discussing his affair that fractured his marriage during his Netflix documentary. There’s nothing to hide this late in the game. 

Part of the fun in following the action heroes of your youth through adulthood is seeing them go from cinematic show stoppers to real people. They’re still entertainers in their 70s and the illusion is still there, but it’s more honest and go for broke.

Arnold revealed a side of the Austrian mega star that audiences hadn’t seen yet. Maybe the politically savvy learned to appreciate his work in California politics after viewing. 

Sly, which releases this fall, will reveal a side of Stallone that viewers didn’t have a clear picture of. The rough and tumble childhood, broke struggles, and big break. 

Their stories are cinematic. The movies about them can only hope to match the majestic nature of their accomplishments.